DebbieKakes & More owner turned home-based business into third career 

Debbie Butler, owner of DebbieKakes & More, started her bustling, word-of-mouth business from her home kitchen seven years ago.

Butler, a Chicago native, mom of three and grandmother of five, told the Recorder she’s thrilled about all the ways her business — and third career — has taken off in just under a decade. Although she grew up helping her mother in the kitchen, Butler said no one else in the family could bake, and starting a business out of her own kitchen was the least of her priorities.

“Being in the kitchen with my mom — bless her heart and bless her soul — I always stood by her side and just assisted her whenever she was baking,” Butler said. “Then, when she couldn’t do it anymore, I would do it; then when she stopped cooking totally … I would bring cakes to her to Chicago or